Comparison of Our Three Worship Services Contemporary - 8:45 am Sunday, Kingston Traditional - 10:30 am Sunday, Kingston Convergent - 5pm Saturday, Newton Can you give us some history about these new services? In order to both (1) provide space for a growing number of people worshiping at First Congregational Church and (2) preserve our historic meeting house, several congregational meetings, the Cabinet, and the Spiritual Guidance Team of the Diaconate have made multiple decisions and given approvals over three years toward the end of establishing a convergent service on the Newton Campus. What is convergent? Most briefly, we have traditional and contemporary worship services with often contrasting styles of music, and the latter with less formal orders of worship.  Convergent is an effort to use all forms of music with selections chosen based on the theme of the day within a more formal, historic order of worship.  Historically the church has followed the fourfold pattern of invocation, proclamation, affirmation, and benediction (or commission).  That is, we invite God to speak truth; we study the scripture to listen for his truth; we relate the truth to our lives; we are sent forth to live out this truth in the world.  Will these services be faithful to our congregational way? There is no difference in theology, covenant, statement of faith, or heritage.  The style may result in a different order of worship, but the commitment to Jesus Christ, the scripture, and personal discipleship growth is the same.  Worship will include scripture reading and teaching, singing songs of faith, prayer including the Lord's Prayer.  Membership requirements will be the same. What is the relationship of these services to First Congregational Church of Kingston? The relationship is exactly the same as the existing services; the only difference is the location. What is the role of current lay leadership? All lay leaders are active in one of our worship services.  The lay support for worship services in Newton will come from those who attend those services.  No one will be expected to plan for or attend more than one service.  Perhaps some from our current worship services will sense God calling them to be a part of these new services, either for a short time or the foreseeable future. We need everyone to be prayer-filled. Who will be doing worship leadership? Pastor Thomas will preach at the convergent service.  Jeff Robie will assist with the convergent service.  Andrew Gaydos, Assistant Music Director, will help with the planning and coordination of music. What about organization, budgets, etc? These services are overseen and planned in the same way as if they were taking place in Kingston.  Everything but the location remains the same.  The Trustees recommend a budget.  The Spiritual Gifts Team nominates leaders.  One congregational meeting elects all leaders and approves one budget.  The ministry team is accountable to the same Boards and Committees.  Each service will receive tithes and offerings.  In time new members from these services will be asked to service on Boards and Committees. How does this impact our ministry team? Obviously more services and more people (regardless of the location) mean more work.  We hope to achieve economies of scale and best use of time.  For example, the bulletins may be the same except for the page with the order of worship.  As time goes along more ministry team support may be desired and this would need to be reviewed and eventually require the approval of the congregation. Why are we doing this?  • Our biblical mandate:  Christ commanded us to love others and commissioned us to make disciples; • Our Congregational history: our model is establishing new groups of believers; • Our vision:  to proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ in word and deed; • Our goals:  we have restated several times (beginning in at our 1998 planning retreat and at several leadership goal reviews or congregational goal reviews) our commitment to diverse times and styles of education and worship; • Our long term space needs and building objectives:  The Space Needs and Building Committee stated our intention to preserve the historic meeting house and seek alternative means/sites to provide space for our growing congregation and this was confirmed by our congregational vote in favor of a construction plan that excluded the sanctuary; • Our property decisions:  the congregation voted to purchase the Newton property for $1 • Our immediate need for more worship space:  our early worship service is so full we have by necessity removed the children to their own worship time before classes begin; and • Our finances:  we now have financial needs that can be met by a additional services in Newton. Has anyone else followed this model of multiple sites? Yes.  There are examples in New Hampshire, Boston, and Connecticut.  In some parts of the country it has become even more common. Why not just have separate everything-an entirely new congregation? Remember that this has been in process for many months, even years.  Those who came to us from First Christian Church in Newton were looking for support.  Only through many months of prayer, discussion, meetings, votes, etc. did we come to this vision.  As James says in Acts 15, "it seemed best to us". When will Convergent services start in Newton? Regular services in Newton have been ongoing since early 2011. Questions and Answers How contemporary is the 8:45 a.m. worship service?   Actually, what we mean is that the music is contemporary Christian in style.  Our musicians include lead and bass guitar, keyboard, drums, and 2-3 vocalists.  Worshipers are welcome to clap to the music or not and often there is an interactive time to request prayer or report answered prayer.  The service format is otherwise planned and structured and includes a prayer time, unison recitation of the Lord's Prayer, scripture reading, and a sermon which follows the same content as the other services.  The style and dress are relaxed.   What does traditional mean for the 10:30 a.m. service?   Well, it really means that it is traditional for us . . . the style that had been historically observed in Kingston.  We use the "Sing Joyfully" hymn book which includes historic anthem type hymns, gospel songs, and a scattering of contemporary choruses.  We read both Old and New Testament scriptures.  A pastoral prayer proceeds the unison recitation of the Lord's Prayer.  The congregation sings both the traditional doxology and the Gloria Patri.  Most often our adult choir sings and there is a children's chat prior to the Sunday School classes.   When do you celebrate the Lord's Supper?   The Lord's Supper is celebrated monthly at each of the contemporary, traditional and convergent services.  Any service might also include a child dedication, a prepared personal witness, or commissioning of congregants for ministry or mission trip.  Both Lenten and Advent observances are included.  The program includes helpful sermon notes and questions to be used privately if desired.     Return to Top First Congregational Church of Kingston, NH and Newton, NH Kingston Campus 603 642-7256, Newton Campus 603 382-7201 email  -  webmaster@kingstonfcc.org